Gas mask



Oct. 9, 1934. F, Q .MONTUORl I 1,975,797

GAS MASK Filed April ll, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNEYS.

v INVENTOR.

' 0ct. 9, 1934. F. c. MoNTUoRl GAS MASK Filed April ll, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. CJVOIZ aan A TTORNEYS.

Oct. 9, 1934. F, C, MONTUQRl I 1,975,797

GAS MASK Filed April ll, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet `if Fig. 5.

i INVENTOR. t Ve/zx CNOJzZZIDrL A TTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. '9, 1934 UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

The invention relates to gas masks and has for its objects to provide certain new and useful improvements and advantages'over known devices of this character.

A principal object of the invention is the provision of 'a gas mask which is self-contained or of unitary construction and dispenses with the usual separate or protruding or depending canister and flexible pipe leading from the former to l0 the mask proper. In gas masks of the type generally in use the air purifying chemical or compound is contained in a canister or receptacle supported by suitable straps from the shoulders of the wearer, and the air filtered or purified by the chemical is conducted to the respiratory organs through a flexible impervious tubing leading from the top of the canister to the mask proper adjacent the mouth and nose of the wearer.

A further object is to provide a gas mask in which provision is made for preventing fogging or misting of the eye pieces, which disadvantage is commonly present in known devices and heretofore has been combated by placing the goggles or eye pieces at a considerable distance from the eyes with consequent impairment of vision, particularly at the sides.

A further object is to provide a self-contained or unitary gas mask which is designed for universal application and in which provision is made for renewing when desired the purifying compound or material, and also the rubber or other flexible gasket which constitutes the sealing or air-excluding medium between the mask and the face of the wearer.

The invention is capable of economical manufacture, is readily assembled for distribution and may be conveniently and quickly attached to the face.

With such objects in view, as well as other advantages which may be incident to the use of the improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations thereof hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements constituting the same may be varied in proportions and arrangement without departing from the nature and scope of the invention.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood there are shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical eiect, without limiting the improvements, in their useful applications, to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a gas mask constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention as attached to the face.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the same on une 2 2 of Fig. 1. 60

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the gas mask looking from the rear or inner portion.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section, on a largerscale, of the lower portion of the container, cartridge and inlet valve, on the line IV--IV of Fig. 2, slightly enlarged.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on line 5-.5 of Fig. 1. (Enlarged.)

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the mask with parts broken away to show, on a larger scale. some of the interior.

Referring to the drawings:

'Ihe gas mask comprises a U-shaped imperiorate marginal container member 1, preferably of aluminum or suitable metal, having at its lower end an air inlet opening and valve 2 which latter may be of the diaphragm type to prevent or retard exhalations through the opening, said container communicating at its inner end as at 3 with the interior of the mask. A screen or filter 3a is or may be secured over the aperture 3 to prevent the passage of solid material therethrough. The container 1 is suitably secured to or may be integrally formed with the front or face portion or covering 4 of the mask, the latter being preferably also constructed of aluminum, rubber or `other suitable material of predetermined conguration to roughly conform to the face of the wearer. Adjacent its upper end the frontal portion 4 of the mask is bulged outwardly at 5 to provide on the interior thereof an air conducting and distributing channel 6 extending substantially horizontally across the face of the wearer above the eye portions. The latter consist of suitable spaced apertures 7 having 95 suitable eye pieces or transparent goggles or lenses 8 screwed into or over the apertures '7 or' otherwise securelyY attached to the mask (Fig. 5) in an hermetic manner. The face or frontal portion 4 of the mask terminates at its outer portion in a peripheral flange 9 which is embedded in or suitably secured to an annular gasket 9a of rubber or other resilient material which is of a configuration readily adapted to closely t against the face of the wearer.

Head straps 10 are secured to the marginal flange 9 at the top of the mask and are provided with suitable means 1l to afford proper and desired adjustment to render the mask closely fitting. Side straps 12, having suitable adjusting means 13 are also secured at one end to the marginal ange portion 9, and these straps or strap may be connected as at 14 to the rear portion of the head straps 10, A pair of lower diagonally disposed strap members or other attaching means 15 are secured at their outer ends to the marginal flange 9 and may be attached at their upper end as at 16 to the intermediate or side straps 12. The straps may be of resilient material to render the mask closely fitting to the lower portion of the face and beneath the chin of the wearer. A chin strap 17 may be provided and is or may be adjustable to limit inward movement of the mask under the tension of the straps 15 so as to insure against impairing the respiration.

It will be understood that the described straps may be varied in number, proportions and arrangement from the particular disclosure on the drawings, as in this regard the invention contemplates any suitable exible or other means of this nature for securing the mask proper to the' head and in snug engagement with the face of the wearer.

Adjacent the mouth portion of the mask 4 there is provided an outlet aperture 18 designed to receive a exible rubber or other diaphragm 19 of usual construction, which constitutes a oneway valve permitting egress but preventing ingress of air relative to the interior of the mask.

The outwardly bulged preferably integral portion 5 of the mask, and which constitutes the wall of the substantially horizontal air channel or passage 6, further constitutes reinforcing or `rigidifying means for the upper portion of the mask. The marginal reinforcement for the remainder of the mask is obtained by the tubular or channel shaped container-casing 1, and this combined reinforcement permits the entire metallic portion of the mask to be formed of relatively thin and light metal.

'I'he mask is prepared for use by illling the sub-l stantially U-shaped interior channel of the container 1 with the desired air purifying and gas absorbing chemical or compound material 20, the latter preferably being in dry or granular form so as to readily accommodate itself to and occupy substantially the entire space within said tube, or said compound may be in the form of a cartridge. The mask is then applied and adjusted to the face of the wearer and is ready for use. The

.air which is breathed is drawn through the inlet or check valve 2 into a substantially U-shaped entrance chamber 21 and is conducted through and puried by the chemicals 20 contained within the tube l, and enters the interior of the mask in a purified condition through the aperture 3. The exhalations through the nose or mouth are expelled through the aperture 18 and diaphragm 19 which latter prevents any ingress of air at this point while the mask is in use. The puried air from the inlet 3 or a portion thereof passes through and is distributed by the channel 6 to the transparent lenses of the mask and constitutes a downwardly moving current which eflectually counteracts any tendency to fog and obscure these lenses due to condensation 0f moisture within the mask or other causes. For example, this condensation may be due to the difference in temperature on the interior and exterior of the glass or transparent goggle members of the mask. The construction of the mask prevents any ingress of air to the respiratory organs of the wearer except through the valve 2, and this is due to the snug close tting engagement of the continuous annular .resilient gasket 9a which fits snugly against the face and beneath the chin of the wearer.

The chemical or compound within the tube 1 may be conveniently renewed when desired as will be obvious.

If desired the chemical or purifying material 20 may be in the form of a cartridge comprising an elongated flexible pervious closely fitting compound-containing bag or casing which may be inserted into the container 1 from the end or side of the latter.

The cartridge 20 constitutes a partition between outside and non-purified air and the inside or purified, said cartridge being arranged to v.fcontact closely with the front and rear sides of the U-shaped container 1, and so as to form at its outer side the air entrance chamber 2l. All air passing to the interior of the mask is npaused to pass through the purifying compound. YIt will be understood that the upper ends of the cartridge will be arranged to close the upper ends of the entrance chamber 21. of the cartridge are preferably provided with screen elements 22 and 22a as seen in Figs. 4, 5 Iand 6, and a strip of felt in the nature of an air strainer as shown at 23. All of these elements of The outer and inner sides Y the cartridge may be bound up together and secured in position within the channel by strips 24 of adhesive tape or other suitable material.

The container or recess 1 in which the chemical cartridge 20 is seated may be more or less partitioned from the interior head space of the mask, as by a removable curved plate 25 which is also secured in place by additional adhesive strips 24a. This partitioning is such that it does not restrict the free passage of purifled air from the cartridge to the point of inhalation. If this partition be employed it may be perforated, for the free passage of purified air, or it may be constructed at its ends, for example by being cut 01T, or shaped in such manner as to direct the purified air to the passage 6 from which it will be caused to pass over the eye pieces.

As best seen in Fig. 6 the outer substantially U-shaped entrance chamber 21 for air to be purified is closed at its upper end on both sides of the mask by means of a plate 26 which may be a lateral extension of the inner perforated plate 22a, or it may be a separate plate or closing element. Suitable strips 27 of adhesive tape may be provided to securely position the parts. In this manner entrance of purified air to the interior of the mask is effectively prevented except through both perforated plates 22, 22a, chemical compound, and thence to the inner substantially U-shaped purified air exit chamber 28.

What is claimed is:

1. A gas mask adapted to be applied to the face and comprising a face covering, eye pieces, a gasket element to iit against the face,- means to secure the mask to the head of the wearer, a container for air purifying material forming the peripheral part o f the mask said container also having a peripheral air entrance chamber and a peripheral air exit chamber spaced therefrom, and means whereby outside air is conducted to the interior of the mask through said purifying material.

2. A gas mask adapted to be applied to the face and comprising a face covering provided with eye pieces, an annular gasket element adapted to t snugly against the face, means to secure the mask to the head of the wearer, a container for air purifying material arranged around the outer margin of said face portion and constituting an inv"tiierriaslr`1;c the head of the wearer, a u-shaped container filled with air purifying material partegral part thereof, said container having air entrance chamber and an air exit chamber conforming to the contour of the containerv and respectively disposed on opposite sides of said air purifying material, and means whereby outside air is conducted to the interior of the mask through the container and its purifying material.`

3. A gas mask adapted to be applied to the face and having transparent eye pieces and having an annular container for air purifying material constituting the peripheral portion of said mask, said container having an inlet port for air to be puried, and a channel communicating at its opposite ends with said container for conducting said puried air over the eye pieces of said mask.

4. A gas mask adapted to be applied to the face and having transparent eye pieces and having a U-shaped container for air purifying chemicals disposed in an annular area at the margin of said mask, said container constituting a passage for air to be purified, and a channel communicating l with said container for conducting said purified air over the eye pieces of said mask to prevent fogging of the latter, and a exible diaphragm through which the inhaled air is expelled.

5. A gas mask adapted to be applied to the face and comprising a face portion, eye pieces, a gasket element to t against the face, means to secure tially surrounding the face portion of the mask and having an entrance chamber and an exit chamber, the latter communicating with the interior of the mask, the said material forming an air-permeable partition between said entrance chamber and the interior of the mask. and means forl admitting air to said entrance chamber.

6. A gas mask adapted to cover and conform to the face of the wearer and having an annular U-shaped container for air ltering material disposed at its margin, thev outer peripheral portion of said container constituting an air entrance chamber communicating at its middle portion with the atmosphere, the inner peripheral portion of said container constituting an air exit chamber communicating at its opposite ends with the interior of the mask, the peripheral portion of said containerbetween said chambers constituting an air purifying chamber, an annular gasket secured to said mask for iitting the mask snugly to the face of the wearer, and a one-way valve in the face portion of said mask for permitting the discharge of inhaled air drawn through said container.

FELIX C. MONTUORI. 

